Some of the top whiskies around the world have made a mark at many recent whisky competitions. Recently, the top 5 whiskies from around the world were revealed at the the 2026 International Whisky Competition 2026 and they came from Taiwan, Virginia and China, with Taiwan’s Kavalan taking three spots, including the overall crown. The International Whisky Competition brings whiskies from around the world together for a blind tasting, with expert judges assessing each entry without knowing its brand, country or strength.
These 5 highest-scoring whiskies are a wonderfully mixed bunch: Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5), Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, and Laizhou Amontillado Sherry Cask. Three come from Taiwan, one from Virginia, and one from China; here’s what made each of them stand out.
Score: 96.97 points
The overall winner brings together two things Kavalan clearly knows how to handle: its fruity house character and a touch of peat. The lightly peated malt is sourced from Europe, while the whisky spends its life in Oloroso sherry casks, bringing smoky peat together with tropical fruit, toffee, dried fruit, cinnamon, chocolate and coffee. The Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt whisky is bottled from a single cask at natural strength, without chill filtration or added colour.
Score: 94.63 points
Here, Kavalan lets the cask do the talking. Matured in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon, the Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt whisky leans into tropical fruit, vanilla, coconut, and oak spice. Its strength varies between individual bottlings, adding another layer of individuality to the expression.
Score: 94.60 points
Virginia brings some serious heat to the podium. This straight bourbon is aged for at least 10 years and bottled at a formidable 68.8% ABV. Expect candied apples, smoke, ripe plums, cherries and sweet florals, with the high strength giving the A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength plenty of muscle.
Score: 94.37 points
The third Kavalan entry, the Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt whisky, swaps bourbon and sherry for Madeira casks. The result is a richly fruity profile of cherry, grape, apple, honey, cinnamon, fig, melon, apricot, marmalade and toffee.
Score: 93.87 points
The list closes with a landmark Chinese whisky. Made by Laizhou in Sichuan province, the Laizhou Amontillado Sherry Cask single malt whisky was matured in Amontillado sherry casks, bringing herbal notes, brown sugar, candied plum, dried apricot, nuts and chocolate to the glass. It is also the first Chinese whisky to reach this particular top-five list.
The result is more than a list of five winning whiskies. With Taiwan taking three of the top spots and China making an appearance alongside American bourbon, the International Whisky Competition 2026 offers a useful reminder: great whisky is no longer confined to one corner of the map.